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STATEMENT ON OPERATION PROTECTIVE EDGE

Jul 23, 2014

Washington, DC (July 23, 2014) Congressman Steve Pearce released the following statement in support of Israel's offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

"I stand by our Israeli allies and their effort to permanently end terrorist attacks on civilians," said Pearce. "Since the beginning of this military intervention into Gaza, the radical Islamic terrorist group Hamas fired over 1,000 rockets indiscriminately at Israeli civilians, while hiding behind women and children in mosques, hospitals and UN-administered schools. The moral case for Israel could not be clearer."

"Israel agreed to three separate ceasefires proposed by Egypt, the Red Cross and the United Nations. Hamas continued firing rockets. Israel warns civilians before a military operation commences in their neighborhood. Hamas forces civilians to stay near rocket launch sites. President Clinton said that the terrorists running the Gaza strip have a strategy to increase civilian casualties for propaganda purposes. I agree with his observation. This war could end tomorrow if Hamas would lay down its arms, and recognize Israel's right to exist."

"I ask all New Mexicans to join me in prayer for a stable solution that ends the violence, protects Israel's right to exist, and secures a long-lasting peace in the Middle East."